2026 Zenith Fellows Award Program – Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all related dementia (AD/ADRD) by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

The Zenith Fellows Award was initiated in 1991 as a vehicle for donors with a substantial personal commitment to propel research in AD/ADRD research. The awards are made possible by the generosity of individulals and organizations (Zenith Society) who have each committed USD 1.000.000 to the Alzheimer’s Association in support of the program.

The objective of the 2026 Zenith Fellows Awards competition is to provide funding support for investigators who have:

• Contributed significantly to today’s scientific progress including AD/ADRD
• Contributed significantly to neuroscience breakthroughs that have informed our broader understanding of AD/ADRD
• Are likely to make substantial contributions in the future with their proposed work

The proposed research should address fundamental problems related to early detection, etiology, pathogenesis, treatment, or prevention of AD/ADRD. We seek proposals at the cutting edge of basic science or biomedicine that may challenge prevailing orthodoxy or not conform to traditional funding mechanisms, but which promise a sustained and positive impact on the future of AD/ADRD research. The Zenith Fellows program focuses specifically on biological studies and clinical investigations (excluding clinical trials).

Eligibility

• Only established independent investigators are eligible as evidenced by:
  • Academic level: Associate Professor or above at the time of application
  • Major, peer-reviewed, external multi-year grant support on which the applicant is the principal investigator (PI)
  • Independent laboratory operation
  • Quality and independence of publication record
• Only applicants who have already contributed significantly to the field of AD/ADRD research and/or have the clear likelihood of making significant contributions will be seriously considered
• The Alzheimer’s Association recognized the need to increase the number of scientists from underrepresented groups in the research enterprise. Researchers from these groups are encouraged to apply

In general, scientists and clinicians from public, private, domestic and foreign research laboratories, medical centers, hospitals and universities are eligible to apply.

We anticipate funding up to three Zenith Fellow Awards. Each award is limited to USD 450.000 total funding (direct and indirect costs) over a period of up to three years.

Letter of intent deadline: December 1st, 2025 5 pm ET

Application deadline: March 18th, 2026 5 pm ET

Award Notifications: August 31st, 2026